In case you haven't noticed, we've been really busy at RMH!

Winter is always a busy time for health care providers, and this year is no exception. RMH, in addition to other hospitals in the region, has experienced very high patient volume over the past two months, to the point of not having available inpatient beds a few times. In situations like this, we try to find an available bed for the patient another hospital close by, and transfer the patient there as quickly as possible.

Our first priority is always to do what is best for our patients and to keep them safe. In that regard, competition with other organizations is no barrier. When we do need to divert - or transfer - a patient, we take them to the closest hospital that has an available bed and can best treat their condition. By law, but more so because it is fair and just, we cannot select which patients get to stay and which get transferred. All patients are treated equally - unless it is a life-threatening situation. We do not take the decision to transfer patients lightly.

Diverting patients is not unique to RMH. Our neighboring hospitals experience occasional bed capacity challenges just as we do, and we all collaborate to help each other and do what is best for our patients. When it comes to safety, all hospitals work together.

We do everything we reasonably can to anticipate high census times to minimize any need to transfer patients. In 2011, there were only a few days when RMH needed to be on a "divert" status and, even then, it was only for certain times of the day. There was only one patient transferred last year due to the hospital being full.

At RMH, we work hard to keep patients safe while providing exceptional customer service. We thank the community for their patience and understanding during times of high census.